Charming Chatter QAL

I have finished the next step in the Between Charming Friends QAL.  I love the way that this quilt is coming together!  Kelly has done a great job giving instructions on how to piece this quilt including step by step pictures.  She even gave a great little tip on how to get the piano keys border to fit perfectly.  This quilt along has been great fun!  It is amazing to see how each quilter has chosen different fabric for the same quilt and how different they all look.  Here is mine!!

I can't wait for the next step on Wednesday!

And a BIG THANKS to all who have voted for my Mariner's Compass quilt in the quilting bloggers weekly contest!  The response has been amazing!  Voting continues through Sunday!  Just click on my link on my sidebar and look for the link to the weekly quilt contest!  Thanks Again!

Contest...Vote Please

This is just a short post to let you know that I recently submitted my Mariner's Compass quilt in the quilting gallery's themed quilt contest.  Just scroll down to my previous post to see more pictures of my quilt.  I would really appreciate your vote!! You can click on the link on my sidebar and then on the link for themed quilt contest.  You will find my quilt there - Compass Rose.  Thanks so much for your support.  Voting takes place from today Friday through Sunday.  So hurry on over!!

I'll be back with pictures of my quilt for the quilt along.  The diagonal rows are all together.  I'm working on the piano keys border!!

I'm Ecstatic!

Yep!  Today I finished the Mariner's Compass quilt!! I am so excited for my DH to see it but he is out of town until later tonight.  So I will just show you first! Heehee!  It is all quilted [by me], bound and labeled!! I am very pleased with the results!! What do you think?  

Some artsy photos!!

For anyone that is following my blog, I started quiltingbydawn back in January when I started this very quilt.  I was a bit overwhelmed as I never did a quilt quite so complicated.  I wanted to chart my progress.  Kinda like Julie in the movie Julie & Julia.  That's where I got the idea and before you know it I was blogging.  I have since become addicted!  Mostly because of the inspiration and creativity among quilt bloggers and such.  So although this quilt is a FINISH, my blogging will go on.  Enjoy!

I'll leave you with a few pictures from some summer fun!

Here we are at Ravinia celebrating our very good friend, Ruth's birthday!  Where's the birthday girl?  Well, as you can see, we were busy trying to keep dry. The tarps and umbrellas were used throughout the night.  We actually had a great time even if we ended up drenched in the end!

Here is my birthday and Father's Day!  We shared the day this year!  Notice Ruth [in the purple] who was missing from her birthday pictures!  She made the most delicious cake for me! Thanks Ruth!  Love this family!!

Here are some pretty cactus flowers blooming in the yard.  They are the most brilliant yellow!

I should also mention that I signed up for a applique posy needle case swap!  Michele from Quilting Bloggers is doing the swap.  Sign ups are still going on so hop on over here and sign up.  This is my first swap and I am pretty excited to find out who my swap partner will be!

Friday Night Sew-In results and quilt along

I was so ready for some quality sewing time.  In fact, I was sewing most of the day!  Yes,  I had lots of plans!  But the best laid out plans don't always work out! Sigh!  Most of the day, I worked on my Between Charming Friends Quilt Along! We got the 1st sewing instructions this week so I wanted to get sewing so I wouldn't fall behind.  

Here are my pieces for the 16 patch ready to be assembled. Do you see the little 4 patches in the back?  

All assembled and ready for the next step!  We'll get the next step on Wednesday.  Yep, that cute polka dot fabric in the background is the backing I picked out.  Isn't it cute?  I think they go together quite well!

I then started quilting on the Mariner's Compass.  As  I previously posted, it was taking me a little over an hour to quilt each compass.  I did manage to shave off about 15 minutes from the quilting as I worked thru the compasses.  I had 2 left to do last night.  No problem I say!  I probably could even finish the outside edges of the fleur de lis.  But my plans went awry when a big storm hit and knocked out our electricity.  This is what I was doing when the power failed.

Quilting the final points in the yellow compass! [the green one on the right is the last one].  At least my needle was down cuz I was turning at the point!

So what to you do?  Well, I was determined to get something done so I pulled out my stitchery and used the remaining daylight to stitch. Soon, everyone was getting hungry and no sight of the electricity coming on so we decided to walk to a local restaurant for some Mexican food [they had electricity!] After dinner, still no electricity and so out came....

CANDLES!

I managed a little more stitchery by candle light.  I was hoping I wouldn't have to pull it all out cuz I really couldn't see very well.  This morning I took a look [and a picture].

Not bad!  See the little purple flowers?  Those are what I worked on before it got too dark.  The stems were done by candlelight.  I'm glad to announce the electricity came on sometime in the wee hours.  The light in my sewing room was still on!  [I did remember to turn off my machine, unplug the iron and computers!]

Mariner's Compass Quilt and a little more...

I started this blog (back in January) because I wanted to record the progress I made on the Mariner's Compass Quilt that I am making for my husband.  Awhile back, I completed piecing the top but was stalled due to not having the time and space to sandwich it.  After school let out for the summer, I got right back on it!  I sandwiched and starting quilting.  Each compass is stitched in the ditch with a star stitched in the center circle.  I takes me about 1 1/4 hours to quilt each compass.  [I may add some more free motion quilting once the compasses are quilted.]  I also used a fleur de lis template in between each compass.           Take a look!

Since I starting this blog, I have become aware of all the talent around the world.  I have become inspired to try some new things like stitchery.  Here is a peek at the latest block that I finished. I think this is #6 and will eventually find its way into a quilt!

 

And finally after many years, look what's on my design wall!! Yes, my red and white blocks!  There are 96 in all [not all fit on my wall]. I am getting ready to stitch the blocks and rows together.  The blocks are hand appliqued. This is my first applique project!  A lot of learning in the process. Not perfect by any means but I love the way the design comes together and forms another pattern! Take a look!

It's a rainy day here in Chi Town.  Good for some quality quilting time!

What have I been up to?

So I haven't posted in awhile...but this is what I've been up to...

First, the June Friday Night Sew-In is on the 18th.  Come join the fun.  I know I have plenty to work on!
This month it is hosted by Bobbi as Heidi is getting ready to move.  Sign up on Bobbi's blog over here.
Don't miss out on the fun!

Secondly, I joined a quilt along hosted by Kelly over at Charming Chatter and Darlene at Quilting Daze.  I have decided to do the mini version following Kelly but have downloaded Darlene's larger quilt pattern to keep for a later date.  This week we were to cut our fabric. I chose to use the charm squares I won at the grand opening of a local quilt store.  I chose Kona White for the background fabric.  Here are my charms all cut and ready to sew. Tomorrow I will cut the Kona for the background.

Thirdly, I have joined in the 7 day give away at Jane's Fabrics and Quilts.  Today was day 4 and I'm just getting around to mentioning it.  Some weeks are like that... I did previously link to Jane's store on my sidebar.  Cute fabrics there so go on over and take a look.  

And finally, I have done most of the quilting on my surprise Happy Camper quilt.  I have also sandwiched the Mariner's Compass quilt and started the quilting on it.  AND I almost finished another stitchery block!  No pictures of these yet.  I still need to unstitch the 2nd Happy Camper blocks and start sewing together the 96 finished red & white blocks for my Robbing Peter to Pay Paul quilt.  

One last  thing to mention...The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup yesterday and brought it home to Chicago!!  Chicago waited 49 years.  They were a lot of fun to watch! Big celebration tomorrow!

The winner is...me!

Last month I visited many blogs in the giveaway day sponsored by Sew, Mama, Sew!  It was a lot of fun visiting so many talented people out in blogland.  One blog I visited was sleepy time sewing and guess what?  I was chosen as one of her winners!  I patiently waited for the package to arrive and it finally did on Thursday!! Here is what I won!

 One hundred 2 1/2" vintage fabric squares!  Yummy! Thanks Leigh!

Another of my favorite blog to visit is Krista over at Poppyprint. She is a very talented young mom and quilter!  She has recently been published in a new quilting magazine from Canada, Quilter's Connection magazine! Go over and check out her blog. You will fall in love!

And finally, another little bag I made.  These bags are so cute and fun to make.  

That's all for now!  A busy day...hope the weather holds off...

This and That

Memorial Day weekend was a beautiful weekend spent outside, inside and with good friends!  Friday night I spent sewing and made this:

I saw this on a blog and linked to the free pattern but then couldn't find the original blog where I saw it made.  Does that ever happen to you?  Anyways...I just love it...look at all the ruffles.  I will add that the instructions are not very detailed...not for a beginner.  I needed to change the size of the binding strip, added an inside pocket [all bags need pockets], and needed to adjust sewing together the lining and bag to make them fit better.  I must say that there is plenty of room inside!!

Saturday was mostly spent outside cleaning the gardens, planting flowers, and washing windows.  There is something about clean sparkly windows that leave the sunshine in! A productive day!  On Saturday evening, my hubby and I spent the evening watching the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs!  While I am not a hockey fan, I am a Chicago sports fan!  It was a great high scoring game and the Hawks came out on top!! One down and 3 to go!  Of coarse, my hands could not be idle so I worked on a little stitchery.  A peek a little later...

Sunday, another beautiful day!  After church, I decided to sandwich and quilt my Happy Camper surprise quilt.  I still need to quilt the borders and then bind it!  Almost done!  In the late afternoon, spent time with hubby preparing and planting the vegetable garden.  Nothing like fresh veggies from the garden!!

On Monday, we were invited to our dear friends home for breakfast, Memorial Day parade and relaxing fun!  We love this family like our own!  Here is a picture of Ruth's breakfast table...

We arrived home to settle in and watch the last 2 periods of the Blackhawks game!  Another exciting game with the Hawks coming out with the WIN!  I did a lot better watching and following the plays.  Hockey is a very fast moving and physical game!  2 down, 2 to go!  Go HAWKS!!

I finished the stitchery block that I started working on.  Here's a peek:

Note to self: Must prep another block!

Hope your long weekend was as productive and enjoyable as mine!